Xi Xin (Wild Ginger)

Botanical name: Asarum heterotropoides

Common Name:

• English:  Wild Ginger
• Also, Known As:  Asarum sieboldii,  Chinese Wild Ginger, Herba cum Radix Asari, 细辛,  Herba cum Radix Asari,  Asarum, Herba Asari, 细辛,  細辛, Manchurian Wildginger 

Origin:  China

Part Used:  Dried root and rhizome

General Information:

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), wild ginger are plants that belong to the 'Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior' category. As suggested by its category wild ginger are plants that are Warm in nature. This means that wild ginger tend to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess(because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition wild ginger can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang. Wild ginger also taste Pungent. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Pungent ingredients like wild ginger tend to promote the circulations of Qi and Body Fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.

Precautions: